NFL mock draft: Full round one after first wave of free agency

Picks 3 through 10

Pick 3 – Trade – Denver trade up to take Miami’s pick at the 3 spot – Justin Fields – QB – Ohio State – Denver

Justin Fields has had a superb college career but has shown that he can have the odd terrible game. For me, this is why he goes after Wilson. But the Broncos know that Drew Lock is not the answer, and with the right coaching, Fields could develop to be the QB they are looking for.

Pick 4 – Penei Sewell – OT – Oregon – Atlanta

If you think Trevor Lawrence is a generational talent at QB, Penei Sewell definitely is that at OT. Many think that the Falcons should replace Matt Ryan at QB in this draft, I do not. But Sewell will improve the protection Ryan gets and thus improve the Falcons as a team.

Pick 5 – Micah Parsons – LB – Penn State – Cincinnati

The Bengals need help at Line Backer and Parsons is the best LB in the draft by far.

Pick 6 – Ja’Marr Chase – WR – LSU – Philadelphia

The Eagles need talent at WR and Chase has talent. For a long time I have had Devonta Smith as the first WR off the board, du to his sparkling college performances. But his light frame does pose a question about his transition to the NFL, so Chase is a safer bet.

Pick 7 – DeVonta Smith – WR – Alabama – Detroit

Smith only drops one spot though, as the talent he showed for the Crimson Tide cannot be ignored. The Lions have seen multiple WRs leave Motown and Breshad Perriman and Tyrell Williams are not adequate replacements for Golladay or Jones, this guy could be at least as good as them though.

Pick 8 – Kyle Pitts – TE – Florida – Carolina

Along with Lawrence, Wilson, Sewell and Parsons and one more to come, Pitts is one of the superstars of this draft. I could not be higher on him. He will be an NFL superstar and the Panthers are crying out for a TE to provide an all over the field threat.

I know the Panthers fans will be clamoring for a QB, but trust me, they will not regret picking this guy. The best QB they could pick at 8 is Trey Lance and Pitts is more of a sure thing than Lance.

Pick 9 – Gregory Rousseau – DE – Miami – Miami

The Dolphins D was superb last season, but free agency has seen some losses on the defensive unit. Rousseau still has plenty of room to refine and develop his game, but his latent ability gives him a huge upside.

Pick 10 – Rashawn Slater – OL – Northwestern – Dallas

Slater can play anywhere on the O-line, but long-term and maybe from day one is a center. He may start off at guard, but whatever the Cowboys choose to do with Slater, he will provide greater protection for Dan Prescott. And we all saw how important it is for the Cowboys to protect Prescott last season.